Dr Adrienne Gorman

Career History

Research Interests

Mechanisms of pro-survival signalling

Mechanisms of nerve growth factor signalling in cell death and survival

Research Overview

The ‘Cell death and cell survival’ group is interested in pro-survival signalling by cells. We are using in vitro cell biology approaches to understand biochemical mechanisms of cell death and survival, including apoptosis. We are currently interested in neurotrophins, particularly the prototypic neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF has long been associated with neuronal survival and differentiation, although in recent years, novel roles in non-neuronal tissues, in various cancers and in promoting apoptosis, have emerged. In our current research we are investigating the mechanism of pro-survival signalling by NGF in breast cancer cells. This will allow us to identify targets for therapy. We are also investigating how we can sensitise breast cancer cells to induction of apoptosis by manipulating the NGF signalling pathway. In another project, we are developing variants of the NGF protein in order to disrupt its binding to its cognate receptors, TrkA and p75NTR and hence to modify NGF signal transduction pathways. This has potential applications in a range of diseases where NGF signalling is involved including Alzheimer’s disease, a range of cancers including breast cancer, diabetes, lung disease amongst others.
Our research is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (EMBARK), UK Breast Cancer Campaign.